It’s been awhile since I’ve shared the cyber mailbag’s offerings, so here goes. Sunday, I opined that the problem plagued Department of Veterans Affairs should jettison the Veterans Administration, a 300,000-person bureaucracy that treats 230,000 veterans a day for $153 billion a year. The VA has backlogs of people waiting to get an appointment for care, and where whistle-blowers have changed that at some facilities — administrators created phony lists to mask the delays.

I said vets should be given health care cards when they’re discharged to use in the civilian health care system. The U.S. would pay the bills. I posted the link to the column (as I do all my columns) on my Facebook page and asked people what they thought of my controversial idea. Here are a few of the edited responses:

“Great idea,” said Jesse Dabson, “screw them with consumerism.” I’m taking that as a no. Dabson wants the VA fixed, saying he’d “rather my tax dollars go to a government program that can be fixed than to a profit-driven corporation that I can’t.”

Craig Beiersdorff said, “Single Payer for all will solve this and much, much more.” And Diana M. Johnson said, “My father-in-law is in the Veterans Home in Manteno and he gets wonderful care.”

And Linda Ksiazek thought I had a “wonderful idea!”

While readers were divided on how to improve veterans health care, there was no debate on my column warning that some legislators are eyeing state oversight or outright takeover of high school sports, which are coordinated by the Illinois High School Association, a private, not-for-profit corporation that uses no state money to govern high school sports and other extracurricular activities. Most of its money comes from corporate sponsorships, donations and some comes from a portion of ticket sales at tournaments. Responses were universally negative.

Linda Castor said, “No, they can’t handle what they have and they would use the money for something else. That would be the end of sports.”

Bob Meany said, “Another reason to move to Florida.”

“I disagree with some of the IHSA decisions, but I do not like the idea of the state of Illinois taking over the IHSA,” said Don Rose.

“Just the usual cash-grab mentality. We can’t manage ours, so we’ll take yours!” said Scott Jeffrey.

Mark Carlson, said, “What an absurd concept. Incredulous that they are serious about it. They are drunk with power. And just like the alcoholic, they must first hit rock bottom before rehab can have a chance to work ...”

Page 2 of 2 - Bill DeMarco had a novel idea: “No, I think the state of Illinois should try to rid itself of corruption, pay its bills and try to create a welcoming climate for business.”

Jori Peterson, a middle school bowling coach, was emphatic: “Keep any and all politicians out of IHSA! Please don’t let them get to the (Illinois Elementary School Association!) We have so much going on that is positive for our students ... please do not ruin this! This state is looking for any way to control and make money. Please leave our children and any and all sports alone!”

And Hubert R. Baker sums it up for us: “Oh, yeah! They have done a great job running the state into (the) ground. Why not athletics, too?”